“Big Brother, do you think news of our departure has leaked? I noticed someone following me when I went out. Also, some boxes from the secret storage have gone missing, and I still haven’t figured out what happened.”
Before leaving, caution was essential. All these unexpected incidents left him uneasy. Although the Lin family had made thorough preparations, something might have gone wrong, and now they feared they were being watched.
“Second Brother, maybe you’re overthinking it.”
“Is everything packed? Third Brother, have you contacted all the people you needed to?”
“Everything’s packed. The items to be taken have been locked in rattan trunks. The belts you asked for are ready too.”
Madam Lin was in charge of these arrangements. The family’s valuables had been organized into storage boxes, and she had ordered each household to use only one rattan trunk for their belongings.
“Good,” Lin Dalao nodded with satisfaction. “Third Brother, go contact the people. We’ll depart ahead of schedule—tonight at midnight.”
Any delay could be risky. The Lin family was large and prominent, so it was possible they were being targeted. But he had already arranged for escorts; the journey should be safe.
Aside from their gold and silver, the Lin family had donated factories and shops. What others might covet now were just their gold and silver at home.
“Understood, Big Brother,” Third Brother replied and went off to handle things. Second Brother worried about the missing treasures.
“Big Brother, aren’t we going to look for the treasures we lost?”
He hated leaving behind their wealth. If they could recover it, their three generations could live comfortably—even if not in China.
“Money or life—what’s more important?”
In matters of life, Lin Dalao was decisive. Money could always be earned, but if people died, no amount of money could help.
In fact, he knew the Lin family had a large sum of money abroad. Once they left, he could claim it. This fortune had been accumulated through factory export trades by his late father before the Liberation and stored abroad for safety.
Although losing the valuables in the artificial hill hurt him, knowing there were savings and a backup plan allowed him to decisively abandon the chase for them.
Scolded into silence, Second Brother had no choice but to let it go. The Lin estate became busy again, with Madam Lin supervising staff, assigning belts, and distributing rattan trunks.
“Remember, keep the belts and rattan trunks safe. Don’t let them out of your sight until we board the ship.”
These belongings were the Lin family’s foundation. Only by taking them abroad could they survive in a foreign land.
All family members gathered, waiting for Third Brother’s signal before leaving together.
At this moment, Lin Xinyao wanted to step out. She hadn’t expected the departure to be moved up, and she still had something to take care of. If she didn’t, she would keep worrying.
“Mom, Third Uncle hasn’t returned yet. I need to go out for a bit, but I’ll be back quickly.”
Lin Xinyao whispered to Madam Lin. Hearing that her young daughter wanted to go out at such a critical time, Madam Lin immediately refused.
“Mom, I’ll be back soon. I just want to go to the Li family on the back street to say goodbye to Li Yanbing and his sister. I’ll exit through the back door—it’s quick.”
The Lin estate’s back gate opened onto another street, with the Li family’s courtyard less than a hundred meters away. Madam Lin couldn’t resist her daughter’s coaxing and agreed.
In reality, Lin Xinyao’s visit to the Li siblings was to make sure they would keep an eye on Lin Suyu—and if possible, make things difficult for her a few times.
“Hehe, Xinyao, don’t worry. I’ll keep a close watch on Lin Suyu. If there’s a chance, I’ll make a move too.”
Li Yanbing, one of Lin Xinyao’s devoted followers, always obeyed her. Besides, she had given him a reward this time. He swore he would do as she asked.
“Good. We’re moving out now. I’ll write to you if I can. Remember to keep your promise.”
Manipulating devoted followers was second nature to Lin Xinyao. A few words had Li Yanbing completely under her control, giving him hope while implying a future meeting.
“Xinyao, you must write to me. I’ll do whatever you asked.”
“Li Yanbing, study hard. When we take the exams for the university in Beijing, we’ll meet again.”
Lin Suyu watched as the Lin family carried their trunks to the main courtyard, realizing they planned to leave tonight. She thought about waiting until they all left so she could sneakily take the remaining belongings—and then saw Lin Xinyao hurrying toward the back gate.
Lin Suyu’s excitement surged. What a perfect opportunity! She had long planned to give Lin Xinyao a little “accident” when the family left. The original Suyu’s accident had been just that—an accident—so why couldn’t she create one for Lin Xinyao?
She followed quietly behind, but once outside the Lin estate, there was little cover. She waited by the back gate.
When Li Yanbing escorted Lin Xinyao back, the two didn’t notice the volume of their conversation—and Lin Suyu, hidden behind the courtyard gate, overheard everything.
Tsk, a beauty’s sting is sharper than a wasp’s tail. What had Lin Suyu done to Lin Xinyao to warrant such scrutiny even as she was leaving?
Hearing the door push open, Lin Suyu quickly hid in her space, taking the firewood stick from the kitchen.
“I’ll just knock Lin Xinyao out with this stick. Ah, but I can’t let her recognize me… maybe I should disguise myself.”
The old Lin Suyu had never fought anyone in her life, let alone knocked someone out. She worried she might go too lightly and fail—or worse, get caught.
Thinking quickly, she untied her braids and messed up her hair into a wild, crazy look, smudged soot from the firewood stick on her face, and glanced at the well. This crazy-woman disguise should conceal her identity.
When Lin Xinyao re-entered the courtyard and closed the back gate, Lin Suyu stepped out of her space and struck her squarely on the back of the head with the stick. The hit was perfect; Lin Suyu immediately returned to the space.
From inside, she watched Lin Xinyao sway and glance back before falling. Lin Suyu exhaled in relief—good thing she hid quickly and wasn’t discovered.
After confirming Lin Xinyao was truly unconscious, Lin Suyu placed her into the space, quickly tied her up with rope, blindfolded her, and gagged her. Only then did she step out again.
She needed a secluded spot to leave Lin Xinyao, at least somewhere the Lin family wouldn’t find her in the rush.
Ah, just a couple of streets back was an abandoned house, half burned and long neglected. People usually avoided it—perfect for dropping Lin Xinyao there.
Oh, she couldn’t wait to see how this would play out! Poverty hadn’t stopped Lin Suyu from scheming and watching the show unfold.